Bloodborne pathogens are disease and
infection-causing microorganisms carried by blood and other potentially infectious
materials. Protecting employees from occupational exposures to disease-causing
viruses and bacteria has become an extremely significant issue in many work places.
Everyone with a possible exposure to bloodborne diseases on the job has to understand the
hazards and the ways to avoid exposure. OSHA created the Bloodborne Pathogens
Standard to inform employers and employees what actions to take to prevent exposure to
bloodborne pathogens at work. Employers at any facility with workers who handle, or
have the potential to come into contact with, blood, other body fluids which may contain
bloodborne pathogens, or other contaminated items, must comply with this regulation.